Background & Objectives: The incidence of candidiasis has been increased in immune compromised patients. Biofilm formation is counted as the main mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Candida albicans. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects extractions of Lamiaceae family in quantification of HWP1 gene expression responsible for inhibition of biofilm formation in C. albicans. Materials & Methods: In this cross- sectional study, the antifungal effect of aqueous and ethanolic extractions of leaf, stem and root of Mentha spicata, Mentha pulegium and Thymus vulgar, commercially purchased from Yasooj, was analyzed against C. albicans using disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The crystal violet colorimetric method, morphological response and expression pattern of hypha-specific gene HWP1were carried out to investigate the biofilm-inhibitory properties of the best plant extract tested. Results: The data indicated that aqueous root extracts of Thymus vulgaris exhibits high antifungal activity against C. albicans. The aqueous extract of Thymus vulgaris root-treated cells exhibited significant reduction in biofilm growth. In addition, morphological observation of extract of Thymus vulgaris and fluconazole-treated cells confirmed decreases in fungal reproduction. Finally, aqueous root extractions of Thymus vulgaris was shown to down-regulate the expression of HWP1. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the possible molecular mechanism of effects of aqueous root extraction of Thymus vulgaris root in C. albicans on biofilm formation.
Manuscript profile
